Sen. Patrick announces bid for Lt. Gov

Seizing on Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s mishandling of a package of anti-abortion bills, Sen. Dan Patrick said Thursday he’s running for lieutenant governor in 2014, the second highest elected office in the state.

“I’m fired up,” Patrick said at a news conference in downtown Austin announcing his run. “We will not be out worked. We not be out hustled.”

Patrick, R-Houston, said the state needs “authentic conservative leadership” and that “he’s not running against anyone.” He vowed not to launch an “attack campaign.”

He then proceeded to bash Dewhurst for the Senate debacle that led to a package of anti-abortion bills failing to pass earlier this week.

“It was pretty obvious the world who was watching … that what happened Tuesday night was a lack of leadership,” Patrick said. “The Senate floor was out of control. The gallery was out of control. There seemed not to be a plan. There seemed not to be a back up plan. That should have never happened.”

Patrick added: “This is what happens when you don’t have leadership. Under my watch as lieutenant governor that would never happen.”

Patrick, a tea party favorite and conservative radio talk show host, has served in the Senate for seven years.

During the regular session, he passed legislation to revamp the state’s charter schools.

If Patrick loses his bid for lieutenant governor, he’s out of public office because he’s currently serving a two-year term that expires in 2014.

“I’m putting everything on the line,” he said. “That’s OK.”

In the 2014 Republican primary, Patrick will face off against Dewhurst, who has announced he will run for re-election. The field also currently includes Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples.